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Do we have an obligation to give our seats to old/pregnant people?
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Reply 40
12
WarmEye
Do you believe that it should be a law for people to give up seats for old or pregnant people? I believe so because I am quite disgusted when I'm in a full bus or tube (standing, not sitting) and a poor old person has to stand using all his/her energy to maintain, and with pride not asking for a seat. And what also angers me is that most people sitting are very young students (let's say early 20's) who have this idea of survival of the fittest
What do you guys think?
Edit: I know there are some priority seats (only about 6 in a whole bus) but it is only implied that the seats are for elderly or pregnant, so no one would actually be punished by the law if he did not give the seat away.
What do you guys think?
Edit: I know there are some priority seats (only about 6 in a whole bus) but it is only implied that the seats are for elderly or pregnant, so no one would actually be punished by the law if he did not give the seat away.
it cannot be made a law because that would merely be socialism.
Instead it should be a moral expectation, and people in the UK especially should be taught to respect their elders. Otherwise you get this, and believe me it'll get so much worse..
Reply 41
15
It's an interesting issue, and I certainly think it's sad if we need a law for something which should be such common decency.
One thing I do always find a bit problematic, however, is that if I'm sitting by a window, an elderly person sometimes sits next to me. This is fine of course, except when I need to get off the bus! It feels ruder to make a seated elderly person stand up than it does to not let one sit down, so I always feel VERY awkward and try and squeeze past them with difficulty.
One thing I do always find a bit problematic, however, is that if I'm sitting by a window, an elderly person sometimes sits next to me. This is fine of course, except when I need to get off the bus! It feels ruder to make a seated elderly person stand up than it does to not let one sit down, so I always feel VERY awkward and try and squeeze past them with difficulty.
Reply 42
Untitled258
Unlike the old people with there free bus passes!!!!!! 
Haha
I didn't mean that! *although I am jealous of their free bus pass*I meant I pay just like any other adult on the bus so I'm keeping my seat if they don't need it!
x
Reply 43
I don't think it should be a law, and how do you know if the old person is struggling to stand.
Half the time I've offered an older person a seat they usually refuse.
Pregnant women are not disabled, and I pay the same fare that I do. So I don't think that they should have a right too a seat. If I did see a preggers woman, I would offer the seat though.
Half the time I've offered an older person a seat they usually refuse.
Pregnant women are not disabled, and I pay the same fare that I do. So I don't think that they should have a right too a seat. If I did see a preggers woman, I would offer the seat though.
Reply 44
HECK yes!!
Reply 45
19
It's not an obligation, but it would be considered good form...
Reply 46
yes, of course. give up your seat to someone who needs it more!!
Reply 47
13
Yes it should be law. No prison, no courts we should employ the hoodies who have nothing to do on street corners to beat the living **** out of the offenders.
Reply 48
14
Nikki-x
Haha I didn't mean that! *although I am jealous of their free bus pass*
I meant I pay just like any other adult on the bus so I'm keeping my seat if they don't need it!
x
I didn't mean that! *although I am jealous of their free bus pass*I meant I pay just like any other adult on the bus so I'm keeping my seat if they don't need it!
x
*Also gets a free bus pass* And no, I'm not old.
Reply 49
How do you decide which person should give up their seat?
Reply 50
i hate it when someone of about 50 looks at me to give them my seat. i would've thought it's rude to give it to someone who isn't THAT old - e.g is in good physical form and hasn't white hair. most of these people aren't old! god
Reply 51
As a gentleman, you have an obligation to offer your seat to anybody. If you are not a gentleman, you may shirk on this, but any disapproving glares are well earned.
(This applies, of course, to both genders - for 'gentleman' read 'person of taste and good manners')
(This applies, of course, to both genders - for 'gentleman' read 'person of taste and good manners')
Reply 52
Nikki-x
Haha I didn't mean that! *although I am jealous of their free bus pass*
I meant I pay just like any other adult on the bus so I'm keeping my seat if they don't need it!
x
I didn't mean that! *although I am jealous of their free bus pass*I meant I pay just like any other adult on the bus so I'm keeping my seat if they don't need it!
x
Haha, i know you didnt
But still when old people push in the queue, i almost get tempted to push back in front, sit on there seat and let them stand, it angers me when people queue, its just not British!
Im all for standing for pregnant people, but say if its someone whos just fat and you let them have your seat? Sometimes its hard to tell, we had a teacher once who was huge, and then she told us she was about to go on maternity leave, and we was all shocked. So she could of been on buses, and people thinking she was huge, and people might not of stood for her. Though when she did pop the sprog out, her size didn't actually change.
Reply 53
Untitled258
Haha, i know you didnt
Im all for standing for pregnant people, but say if its someone whos just fat and you let them have your seat? Sometimes its hard to tell, we had a teacher once who was huge, and then she told us she was about to go on maternity leave, and we was all shocked. So she could of been on buses, and people thinking she was huge, and people might not of stood for her. Though when she did pop the sprog out, her size didn't actually change.
Im all for standing for pregnant people, but say if its someone whos just fat and you let them have your seat? Sometimes its hard to tell, we had a teacher once who was huge, and then she told us she was about to go on maternity leave, and we was all shocked. So she could of been on buses, and people thinking she was huge, and people might not of stood for her. Though when she did pop the sprog out, her size didn't actually change.
Well usually you can kinda tell the difference between a fat women and a pregnant women IMO. (wonders if his head of year who is kinda round is pregnant...but then remembers they have been that way for 2 years lol). Pisses me off when people don't give up their seats. I remember in the summer I was on a bus and a heavily pregnant women was standing up because their were no seats. I was standing too and some chinese students were sitting in all those priority seats or what ever. The women was obviously too embarrassed to ask or something but after a few minutes I just said to one of the students. " Could you please let this women sit down". He gave me this really odd look, looked at her, looked at me then slowly got up. I suppose maybe in China the customs are not the same? Still I would have thought it was obvious to give up a seat for an elderly,disabled, pregnant women, standing up.
Reply 54
It's manners, it shouldn't have to be the law!
Reply 55
11
As pathetic as it sounds... i worry that the person i let sit down might be offended at me thinking they're old or, god forbid, pregnant when they are just fat.
Reply 56
In my opinion, it shouldn't be made law but it is a sensitive issue since lots of people nowadays don't have any manners. Personally, if I see old, disabled or pregnant people looking for seats, I will happily give up mine.
Plus, it's not offensive to anyone to say 'Excuse me, would you like my seat?', it's just showing curtosy and shows you've given them some consideration. Even if they decline, you've made the effort.
I think that as long as you consider, that some young people may also need seats, because of various disabilities or disadvantages and that you give these people the same treatment, it wouldn't harm anyone to offer a seat.
To make it law though, I think, is going too far. As long as there are some considerate people in the world, it's better to leave it up to the person and their own moral desicion. It's more gratifying to know you've done something good for someone else if you are given the choice.
^^
Plus, it's not offensive to anyone to say 'Excuse me, would you like my seat?', it's just showing curtosy and shows you've given them some consideration. Even if they decline, you've made the effort.
I think that as long as you consider, that some young people may also need seats, because of various disabilities or disadvantages and that you give these people the same treatment, it wouldn't harm anyone to offer a seat.
To make it law though, I think, is going too far. As long as there are some considerate people in the world, it's better to leave it up to the person and their own moral desicion. It's more gratifying to know you've done something good for someone else if you are given the choice.
^^
Reply 57
17
It's a pity that our so-called 'civilised society' has moved on to a fundamentally 'selfish society' that causes some to make excuses for not being more empathetic to the physical needs of those less fortunate than themselves.
Parents have the biggest role to play in rearing their children to consider the needs of others...they are our first, and most important educators...and many are failing in their responsibilities. One only has to look at the number of children who toss litter onto footpaths whilst in the company of their parents, who turn a 'blind eye.' These kids aren't reared, they're dragged up.
Parents have the biggest role to play in rearing their children to consider the needs of others...they are our first, and most important educators...and many are failing in their responsibilities. One only has to look at the number of children who toss litter onto footpaths whilst in the company of their parents, who turn a 'blind eye.' These kids aren't reared, they're dragged up.
It should be made more prominent certainly. Not sure about making it the law.
Yes I totally agree with that. Parents have a responsibility to teach their children right from wrong, and to tell them the right way to go about mixing in society, including showing courtesy to others.
When I was pregnant with Lydia, we didn't have a car (we got one when she was 6 months old) and not once throughout my pregnancy did somebody offer me a seat on the bus. In fact I myself got up several times to give my seat (if I was lucky enough to get one) to elderly people, when nobody else would.
And there as most certainly no mistaking I was pregnant. I had a stomach bigger than goodness knows what.
yawn
Parents have the biggest role to play in rearing their children to consider the needs of others...they are our first, and most important educators...and many are failing in their responsibilities. One only has to look at the number of children who toss litter onto footpaths whilst in the company of their parents, who turn a 'blind eye.' These kids aren't reared, they're dragged up.
Parents have the biggest role to play in rearing their children to consider the needs of others...they are our first, and most important educators...and many are failing in their responsibilities. One only has to look at the number of children who toss litter onto footpaths whilst in the company of their parents, who turn a 'blind eye.' These kids aren't reared, they're dragged up.
Yes I totally agree with that. Parents have a responsibility to teach their children right from wrong, and to tell them the right way to go about mixing in society, including showing courtesy to others.
When I was pregnant with Lydia, we didn't have a car (we got one when she was 6 months old) and not once throughout my pregnancy did somebody offer me a seat on the bus. In fact I myself got up several times to give my seat (if I was lucky enough to get one) to elderly people, when nobody else would.
And there as most certainly no mistaking I was pregnant. I had a stomach bigger than goodness knows what.
Reply 59
My grandfather is 89 and gives his seat up when someone else needs it 
I too am all for giving up my seat when someone actually needs it. Actually, why should this obligation be restricted to the young? I've seen perfectly capable old people refuse to give up their seats for others who are barely able to walk
People have a moral obligation to help others less fortunate regardless of age.
I too am all for giving up my seat when someone actually needs it. Actually, why should this obligation be restricted to the young? I've seen perfectly capable old people refuse to give up their seats for others who are barely able to walk
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